“Halt and Catch Fire,” the once deeply underrated AMC show (now favored by critics three seasons later) about technology trailblazers and the personal computer revolution of the 1980s, boasts a superb cast in Lee Pace, Scoot McNairy, Kerry Bishé and Mackenzie Davis (the latter is so good, she’s been bagging roles in major Hollywood movies and is poised to be a star). So when the writing on the show fails (which is rare), or more importantly, gets stuck in a cul de sac (much more common), the cast always saves the season. In fact, “Halt and Catch Fire” seems to always start slow, get bogged down in its code in the middle and then rallies hard enough to make the entire season worthwhile. Based on five episodes of season three, this familiar pattern appears to be repeating itself. And like the spinning rainbow-colored Mac pinwheel, this schema can get a little frustrating.
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But fulfilling the promise that was teased at in season two, the show has shifted from complicated entrepreneur and tech guru Joe MacMillan (Pace) and pulled focus towards the two female characters of the show, Cameron Howe (Davis) and Donna Clark (Bishé) to the point the women are the new leads. It’s a refreshing turn to see the strong female characters lead the field, and one that follows the natural progression of the narrative, but the show still suffers from some familiar devices, one of them being the ever constant idea of separating former ally Joe MacMillan from the main core team, only to have him somehow weasel his way back into their orbit.
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In the wake of the climax of season two — betrayals, come-from-behind wins and deeper character implosions — another variation of a clean slate begins season three (the series likes to blow itself up at the end of each season and then start “fresh”). The start-up company Mutiny, founded by Cameron Howe and co-led by partner Donna Clark, has left Texas and relocated to Silicon Valley to be closer to the action and venture capital money. After the admission of his infidelity, Donna’s husband Gordon (McNairy) was given an ultimatum: come to California and assist Mutiny, or go his own way. Contrite and desperate to not lose his family, Gordon agrees and is now a reluctant tech lead at Mutiny, but stymied by having to answer to his two bosses instead of lead with his pioneering ideas. And it’s not a sexist point of view (though problems with 1980s sexism isn’t avoided on the show). Cameron and Donna are ingenious and savvy, having proven that their inventiveness can outshine the boys in the industry. But ultimately, they’re new at the game that the brilliant, but troubled Gordon has been participating in for years.
Having stolen Gordon’s anti-virus idea and code (he’s suing for millions too), Joe MacMillan is living in San Fransisco with the showrunners leaning a little too heavy on his Steve Jobs-like persona and transformation. Considering Jobs presumably exists somewhere on the edges of this fictional universe, it’s strange that MacMillan is a proxy who now looks, speaks and has the same exact mien as the pioneering Apple guru (think Michael Fassbender from “Steve Jobs” only with a little beard).
Nonetheless, Jobs, err, MacMillan is in the Bay Area presiding over this anti-virus company that has made him another fortune. He’s accused of peddling fear, proselytizing about the security holes in every major company and how fix it (through him and his company, obviously). More importantly, the visionary character is on the sidelines so far, but it’s only a matter of time before he crosses paths with Mutiny and Cameron; they are like magnets in a nexus. At least to the show’s writers.
Season three revolves around growing pains for all the main characters — MacMillan chafing when having to answer to investors and board members for the first time, for example — but nearly all of these aches center around Cameron and to the detriment of all of those near and dear to her, including her staff, co-workers and trusted confidantes. During the middle of the season, Mutiny seeks venture capital money to float a new expansion of the company into online trading. Eventually, they acquire and merge with SwampMeet, another company already ahead in the online trading business, but falling behind strategically and technologically. But as Mutiny grows and expands into the big leagues, Cameron cannot cede power and control of her baby and holds on with too tight a grip. With her paranoia and fear of Mutiny slipping through her fingers ever growing, Cameron turns into the dreaded bad boss; never delegating, and questioning all employees at all times.